Wahl interview with Pope on MNT retirement

[boffo]

Wahl interview with Eddie Pope on his retiring from international duty:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/grant_wahl/08/03/pope.qa/index.html

He was as strong and steady a defender over his career as we've produced, and a consummate professional. He will be missed.

And IMO, an equally important legacy has been in attracting African-American kids to the game, something that has been a focus for him off the field:

SI.com: Are you encouraged that more African-American kids are taking up soccer these days?

Pope: Yeah, definitely. I remember when I was younger being the only African-American kid on my team for a long time. For me it was until I got to college [at North Carolina]. To have a guy like [D.C. United's] Clyde Simms be from my hometown and start having some time with the national team is promising. We can do more, and I plan on doing more in the future. A lot of people get excited about the Hispanic market and how it's doing, which I think is great, but the African-American market is just as promising. Hopefully in the future more and more minorities will be playing soccer. We're part of this country, and it's only beneficial. Everyone deserves a shot, and it can only help.

[Atouk]

Pope: I still come from the view that not every World Cup is going to be perfect. Around the world teams can have a rough World Cup, and they're able to forget that and say, "This is a new one" four years later with a new opportunity. Other countries rarely say, "Our program is down the tubes." They still believe in their team, and that's what we have to do. We're pretty fortunate. This league's 11 years old, and we've been to the quarterfinals of a World Cup already. That says a lot. I have a lot of confidence in our young guys and how they'll do in the future.
Agreed. Thanks, Eddie, not only for your great service to the US, but for the perspective.

[onefineesq]

Eddie is the man.

[Tony in Quakeland]

Pope's intelligent play and comments always made me think about his as an eventual coach, with the only potential drawback being that he might be a bit too quiet. Reading this interview I had a new idea: Eddie Pope, future president of US Soccer!

[swedust]

I know this interview is a few weeks old, but this comment got my attention with respects to some of the stuff Bruce said in his more recent Wahl interview:

There's always going to be another good young player that will come along, and they're so much better than when we were younger. That's how it should be.

I feel like the same applies in MLS.

Anyway, best to you, Eddie. And I'd campaign for him as president of USSF in a heartbeat.

[roadkit]

What? No vitriolic blaming of others? What a lame Q&A.

:D

Eddie is such a class act.

[IndividualEleven]

What? No vitriolic blaming of others? What a lame Q&A.

:D

Eddie is such a class act.

He he. There's some humility in US soccer yet.

[scruggs45]

thanks for the link...that was a great article...

thanks eddie

[i_heart_soccer]

He's such a class act, very nice interview.

[QuakeAttack]

Thanks Eddie!

Best defender the US has ever produced up to this point. Of course, we don't know how good he could have been because he didn't go to Europe.:rolleyes:

[bungadiri]

I like this one:

SI.com: The younger stars on the U.S. team like Donovan and Beasley had a tough World Cup. What would your advice be to them moving forward?

Pope: I'm not even sure they really think about it. I still come from the view that not every World Cup is going to be perfect. Around the world teams can have a rough World Cup, and they're able to forget that and say, "This is a new one" four years later with a new opportunity. Other countries rarely say, "Our program is down the tubes." They still believe in their team, and that's what we have to do. We're pretty fortunate. This league's 11 years old, and we've been to the quarterfinals of a World Cup already. That says a lot. I have a lot of confidence in our young guys and how they'll do in the future.

[Galaxian]

We're gonna miss Eddie , he did so much for us during his time with the nats , and by staying in MLS . Thanks .

[SamsArmySam]

Pope's final comment in the media?
I just want everyone to know that I appreciate all the help I've had from my coaches and my teammates over the years.
That says it all.

[uiriamu]

Class act. His contributions are very much appreciated.

[Bruce S]

Arena could take class lessons from Eddie.